Earlier, preparations of bishop’s weed were used prophylactically as a remedy for asthma, spastic bronchitis, coronary insufficiency and angina pectoris (chest pain due to a circulatory disorder of the heart), for which, however, the effectiveness was not proven.
Bishop’s weed: unsuitable for use?
However, because of the risk of pseudoallergic reactions, such a therapeutic approach can no longer be justified. Based on these facts, Commission E has withdrawn its positive monograph.
Use in folk medicine
Today, the fruits of bishop’s weed are rarely used in folk medicine as an antispasmodic, for example, for kidney, intestinal, or biliary colic, or mild heart complaints such as chest tightness. Furthermore, the fruits are traditionally used to clean teeth.
Bishop’s weed in homeopathy.
In homeopathy, bishop’s weed is used to treat smooth muscle spasms and colic, circulatory disorders of the heart muscle, and retinal irritation in glaucoma.
Ingredients of bishop’s weed
Bishop’s weed mainly contains fatty oil and proteins, but the main active ingredients are furanochromones (γ-pyrones) such as khellin, visnagin and khellol, and pyranocoumarins such as visnadin and samidin. It also contains flavonoids, kaempferol, and essential oil.
Bishop’s weed: indications
Bishop’s weed used to be used for these indications:
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Angina pectoris
- Coronary insufficiency
- Circulatory disorder of the heart
- Chest pain
- Renal colic
- Intestinal colic
- Biliary colic
